Elections that could significantly affect Barrow County’s and Winder’s governments are just days away.

Though the county and city ballots are different, the bottom line in both elections is this: How much power should the top elected official have?

Tuesday’s votes follow years of unresolved power struggles that county chairman Danny Yearwood and Mayor Chip Thompson have had with their jurisdictions’ politically divided governing bodies.

Yearwood operates under a “strong chairman” form of government that gives him control not only of the day-to-day operations of the county government, but also the power to veto policy decisions of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners. Voters will decide whether to have a county manager run the government’s operations and to reduce the chairman’s position and authority.

Thompson operates under a “strong mayor” interpretation of the city charter, with most of the decision-making centralized in Winder City Hall rather than shared with the Winder City Council. Mayoral challenger David Maynard has pledged to operate the government more in the open and to closely involve the council.

Early voting ends Friday, Nov. 4. That also is the last day that absentee ballots may be requested, and the paper ballots must be returned to the county elections office at 233 E. Broad St., Winder, before the polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

All voting on Nov. 8 in the countywide special election will take place in the county’s regular polling locations. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

All voting on Nov. 8 in the municipal elections will take place at city polling places. Some Auburn and Winder voters will be required to vote in separate city and county locations in order to vote in both elections.

Did you know that during this year alone the County Commissioners had to increase the budget for attourney fees by $200,000 due to their foolishly pursuing this course of action. I as a tax payer don't appreciate it.

Do we want managers like Kieth Lee and Bob Beck to control our county again?!?!

It is estimated, to go to a county manager with an assistant and secretary will cost us an additional $200,000 anually. How is this conservative? They are spending like drunken Democrats!!!!!

You speak the truth Rupert. But unfortunately the groups of "cronies" in this community just wanna see ole Danny gone. And have taken an extreme measure to do so. the effects of this will not only be felt financially, which is certainly a concern of mine as well, but when the commissioners start taking sides and butting heads on issues. Then this county and its government will really be the laughingstock of this area. What is really sad is how underinformed most voters really are. They'll go vote in favor of the county manager position because of what they heard at McDonalds or Dairy Queen during breakfast. Fact is the board still has the power to override the commissioners veto in the following meeting under the current system. We are about to have historical change in Barrow if this goes through. Hope it doesnt result in the same d@mn change we got with Obama. VOTE NO to county manager, if you want Danny out, vote him out but leave our system alone.

My North Georgia neighbors..... We have all the same opportunities here in Jeff Davis county. We have a drunken Mayor that has locked down city hall and halted city business for an entire business week ( all to prove his point ) that HE and the GOB are in charge. We will be voting on Sunday sales of alcohol, also. As with any city/county in this nation we all face challenges. Take a deep breath... vote as you please and choose carefully but, you must understand that we are not living in a perfect world.

or under charter binding and pay raise????? be careful what your voting for! like i said what is on the ballot is so vague,and yes the board may or may not be able to fire him once it passes but if he is the countymanager they may find the checkbook paying him as such and may be on the hook for untold extra monies when they dismiss him from being county manager

I think its time for a change, its not just yearwood the last chairman ran it into the ground also.Get a county manager to run the day to day business of county govt. let the board make policy, its really pretty simple. This part about costing another 200 grand a year? We will save more than that by not having to pay so much in attorny fees to fix the chairmans screw ups.secretaries, and assistants, they may need one of those for the manager, just reallocate somebody from another job into that one no more cost see?
Vote yest for a county manager and no to Sunday alchohol sales, lets keep the Lords day as it is here in barrow.

Are we voting to do away with Sunday? Will a vote change how you feel about Sundays? What does a vote, to allow a vote, have to do with the Lord's day? If we sell alchohol on Sundays does that mean the Lord can't come to Barrow County?

Lego is just looking for a job to help his old pockets as he is out. I would ask he pay the additional taxes that would be brought in with Sunday alcohol sales, but he dont have any. Needs to go a local middle school and get some class room help.

"Needs to go a local middle school and get some class room help. "
who needs help here?
John, my prefence is to keep things the same here in barrow concerning the sale of alcohol on Sundays. No it wont change the way I feel about Sundays whichever way the vote falls, Will selling liquor on Sundays keep the Lord out of barrow county? lets hope not, he's the only chance any of us have.
Sunday is a different day amongst christians than any other day of the week.I know that everybodys not a christian, but they can be.
I say vote your conscience on this matter, I know I will and it is my right to try and convince others to side with me, just as it is yours to do otherwise.

I know in a factual way that there is a demon in liquor and other forms of alchohol just like theres one in drugs, I think we should want to keep this stuff away from our children and families.

I voted Yes to the county manager. I understand the concerns that some have that a county manager would lead to the same excesses that existed during the Keith Lee/Doug Garrison era. However, this proposal is different. Bear in mind, Keith Lee (and Bob Beck for that matter in the city) only reported to one man. That person had absolute control over the day to day affairs of the county/city. The change in the charter will put the county manager in charge of day to day activity, but he or she will report to the entire board. The board will have to be involved, and I believe that most of them will be. Citizens with complaints will take them to the board members, who will hold the county manager accountable. There will be checks and balances, unlike what happens today.

I also voted Yes on Sunday sales. To me, it's not a matter of religion, it's a matter of choice. Being able to buy a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine on Sunday doesn't diminish my love of the Lord.

And one more thing - the county spent all that money on Attorneys because there were no professionals in the house to make sure that a lot of what needed to be done, got done right.

First of all, I wasn't drunk when I voted. I regularly attend both city and county council/commission meetings. I have a bachelor's and master's degree - the latter in Public Administration. I am a VERY INFORMED and well educated voter.

And I'm glad I attended the candidate forum - confirmed that I did the right thing.

Robert I voted the same as you. And I have never drank or been drunk in my life. The county will not survive the way its going. I am not a redneck from Barrow Co. I did not go to school in Barrow Co. I have an education and make a good salary. I don’t fit the GOB club that operates in this county. Its time for new blood and new thinking. The GOB club has not served this county well.

why dont they put the charter on the ballot the proposed charter vs the current charter just just a blank check for county manager, the vote is to keep current things like they are or vote for unknown since basically all your yes vote is at this point is to make Chairman part time, but like many complaint votes there is no plan in writing on the proposal

I agree with Mr. Lanham completely. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". A Mayor should never be in complete power. God is here in Barrow County and always will be only if you as an individual wants him out of your life. Our county needs economic help so why would you vote for our taxes to be received in another county. Jesus turned the water into wine not grape juice. Don't be fooled by Religious Legalism or absolute control.

if YOUR commisoiner never returns calls then YOU need to help see that he/she gets voted out next time.My commisoner always listens and besides that you must be crazy if you think yearwood listens to you and gives you a voice.
I agree with jack legg on this one. put an end to one man rule in barrow.vote for a county manager system.

Makes me smile that my votes cancelled out Lanhams. Board members will hold the manager accountable? My @ss. this proposal will be different. Sure you didnt have a little shot or two before posting this one Robert. And you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but Sunday sales aint about choice or even drinking, its about tax revenue, and thats a d@mn shame we can't leave money out for it least 1 day and give it to the Lord. just curious Robert, think Jesus wants to split that 6 pack with you?

Why not split a six pack? Jesus did turn water into wine. Now, why not relax, read your latest issue of Family Circle, straighten your lace doilies, and dream up even more self-righteous and pious utterances.

Chip may get beat, but if all of you think David Maynard is the answer to our problems you are wrong. The biggest problem is that we have no choice for mayor. Chip made unforgivable mistakes and David is an arm for Jerry. We don't have a good a chance.

Atleast we would have more honesty and more council inclusion with David. Chip wants to be a one man show and that is not the Mayor's role if things are going to be handled above board. He has had his turn now let's give someone else a chance. We can vote him out next time too if the City is not better off.

Could all of you please get off the Jerry kick. David is his own man and Jerry is a businessman who has made money off hard wrk and investments. Those of us who watched all of those kids grow up are getting tired of the trash and jealously some of you have for them

Historic chance to raise the level of turnout for this election, given the importance of the decisions that will be made, and how it will effect the county government system operation.

Very strong arguments here on both sides of the County vote to change how we are governed. Sunday alcohol sales also a very heated issue on both sides. The positive side to this, is that the voters in this county are discussing the issues, and voting for their best option. This is as it should be. As for me, I will vote for the County Manager form of Government, and against Sunday alcohol sales.

No matter which side you are on, just vote. Nothing will change until your vote takes place in that booth.........
DuWayne

Spoken like a true politician Duwayne. Be a man tell us how you gonna vote. And all you "heathens" can back off, never not once did I criticize you if you vote for Sunday sales. I don't agree with it but, I dont condemn you if you are for it. God is Good.

You "back off." I'm sick and damn tired of the "moral majority" trying to ram its religious views down the throats of everybody else. Remember that bible-thumpers is this county cost taxpayers $100,000 in their crusade to force everybody to look at the ten commandments posted in the courthouse. The god squad got their asses handed to them in federal court, but the taxpayers paid the bill. "Dr" Jody Hice, Eddie Elder and that holy crowd. Abortion is and should remain legal, and I couldn't care less what homosexuals do -- up to and including "marriage."

Amen, tell it like it is. This country was made for all law abiding and taxpayers. But some of the laws are just outdated. If anything should be reinstated is "Freedom". This is a lost word in our country since a certain party has been in power. There is a law for just about anything now. So, get out of my wallet and bedroom you political hippocrits. Go network on sunday morning and hang someone on sunday evening. It is the christian thing to do.

" the fool hath said in his own heart that there is no God"
Now it seems to me that people like you are the ones trying to ram your beliefs,or non beliefs as the case may be down everyone else's throat.This country was indeed founded on certain principles. Freedom being one of them, but right there with that and you cant have one without the other is religous freedom.
You people like the above posters would like for all of us to follow your humanistic reliogon of self.Aint gonna happen though because my God is greater .
but im praying for you both.

You sound like Ann Coulter, "our blacks are better then your blacks". You and your kind do alot of things that aren't very christian. You know there is a end to everything and everybody,so, I hope all you christians will ascend to heaven and leave the rest of us alone. I have had all the good christian love I need in 4 lifetimes. So, begone and ascend to heaven. Good ridance! I am acting on my freedom to cast you out, as you do all the others.

Hey Jack,
you do realize that your kristianity is rooted in European pagan/heathen beliefs.
If you have been baptized; that is a heathen tradition pre-dating kristianity.
If you celebrate Jule/kristmas; that is a heathen holy day (winter solstice).
Decorating trees and gift-giving is also a pagan/heathen tradition dating back for centuries before kristos.
You want me to tell you about Ostera/easter; well you can just look it up on Wikipedia.

If your god is the "greatest"; why does he keep stealing the traditions of my ancestors and corrupting them with the stories of a flying jewish hippie??

It is stupid to hire a county manager when we voted in the commissioner. If you dont like who we have, then dont reelect him. There will always be people who are not happy with who is in office, or who is making decisions. But to spend money that this county does not have to hire someone to do a job, that already has someone doing it, is just plain STUPID!!!! We need things in this county that are more important than hiring a county manager, that will not be liked by half the people in Barrow County because of the decisions he or she may make.

You only get to vote every four years. So what that means is that if an idiot gets elected as commisioner chairman like we had happen here in Barrow county, you have to wait FOUR yearsto unelect him.Look at the dmage that yearwood has done in the last three and we still have one to go.If we the people allow our board of commisioners tohire a manager to over see the day to day operations of the county.Read it again I said DAY to DAY operations. then they are free to set policy and see to the needs of their constituients instead of running around putting out fires that were started by a self educated know it all who just happened to stumble his way into power.
The very definition of the word STUPID is to continue doing the same thing day after day, week after week and expect a different outcome.
VOTE YES to a county manager.VOTE no to Sunday sales of alchohol, keep Sundays as they are.

Yes, by all means keep Sundays as the day when crackpots can file into church secure in the knowledge that their version of the one god is correct, so they can pester uninterested people the other six days with nonsense about prayer, salvation and miracles. What is worse, they want their version of morality codified into the law so they can force everyone to adhere to their principles. Well, bible-thumpers, you have failed. Abortion, liquor and gambling legally exist. Pray about it -- and see how far it gets you.

The only crackpots are the ones outside. The only people seeking to impose their will over the majority are people like you who want to change the law to suite your uneven viewpoints. Go back where you came from and leave us hillbillies alone.

I can't "go back." I am a native Georgian. Born in
Athens. As for imposing beliefs, what part about prohibiting people from doing certain things (booze, abortion, sex) under cover of "morality" and "religion" don't you understand? It is YOU, bible-thumper, that forcefully desires to compel people to conform to your notions of right and wrong under color of law.

The law already says that you cant sell liquor on Sundays, therefor eit is people like you would would force channge on others to suit your beliefs. People like you have already force upon everyone else your twisted ideolgy that its ok to kill babies.I bet if a baby could hold a 45 in its hand and squeeze off a few rounds at people trying to kill him/her then that would change the minds of murdres like you.What else was it that you humanists have forced upon everyone else ? oh yeah grattuitous sex.....the lower animals cant control themselves either.

I can go buy liquor in Barrow county on sundays just not to take into the car sealed and enjoy at my home or on a picinic, see its ok to go to tavern or bar but not ingles and then home, how twisted is this logic

Careful Jack, that fetus you think is so precious may come back someday and show you how he uses that 45 your talking about. It amazies me, you people love that fetus, but, when it hits the world, you no longer want to care, feed, house or educate it. It becomes everybodies problem. The Population of the world just maxed out at 7 billion people. Do you really think one less fetus is going to end the world?

Jack barrow co is one of the smallest counties in georgia, and has more churches than most. Why then are we surrounded with good christians who are hippocrits,back stabbers, dishonest, do unto others before they do unto you, shelfish, greedy, and untrustworthy people who go to church on sunday just to network? You can almost justify anything as being ok with the bible. Whatever happen to the christians who, turned the other cheek, yee without sin cast the first stone, take care of the sick and inferm, the meek shall inherit the earth, and ie. Those type of christian don't exist anymore. Most of them that claim to the christian are really just "fans of christ". If you were a true christian, you would not make some of the statements you make on this blog. I am not a christian, baptist, ie, so I feel like I can call you out without being a hippocrit.

your not really calling me out on anything there pedro, and the fact that Barrow has so many churches is a good thing , just imagine how bad things would be around here if there were none.ad who says that we christians dont love the babies after they were born, you must be one twisted puppy.Christians love the Lord and they love their neighbors unlike the worldly folk.
You see Jesus died for evryones sins but that doesnt mean that we should all live a sinful life without care.Maybe some of you folks should get someone to read a bible to you. you think that christians are slaves but itis you who are slaves to the world and to worldy passions.

Jack, you and I don't agree on much, but in this case I agree with your post. Christians are called to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all nations throughout the world, and that includes Barrow County, GA. It is not our goal to convince you to be a Christian, only to share the Good News of Christ with you and offer personal testimony as to why each of us believes in Christ. You have the freedom to accept or reject it. God is in control of the rest.
Christians do not have to apologize for carrying out The Great Commission for Christ, nor will we.
All life is precious, including that unborn fetus. Children are a gift from the Lord. Maybe we should all take some time out of our day, and thank the Lord for ALL the BLESSINGS we enjoy.......Something to think about......
DuWayne

the taxpayers seem unhappy there tax hikes, the board not listening to them in Gwinnetts case the BOC is just so freaking bad that the manager issue doesnt even come up, if the board isnt listening to the citizens on what not to do then why would the board listen to the citizens regarding what to do on a manager gone wild.

you point out Gwinnett manager system but all the time the BOC in Gwinnett is on Fox5 for not listening to the groups of citizens outside saying NO NO NO. you point to dysfunctional BOC and maybe a manger no one has time to point at because the BOC there is so freakin horrible,

Sometimes you make sensible, insightful, posts. But your arguement against Jesus is weaker than Barrow Co. well water. You are steeped in mythology. A myth. Nothing more nothing less. Although I tend to agree with you on some political and civil viewpoints, I cant float on the same cloud with you and your fantasy world. Although I must say, your are entertaining but sorely misguided. But maybe you are on to something, when I look in the mirror Im gonna start viewing myself as a greek god. Certainly cant hurt considering the shape im in.

Georgia has 13 counties with single commission (1 Person) form of government...and probably the most effieient. It has 92 counties with various forms of board of commissioners with a chariman, some with elected county wide chairmen who oversee the county management, others where the board of commissioners elect a chairman from it's ranks to serve a one year term and even others who all serve a term as chairman for one year. Barrow County is the only county in the state where the chairman has veto power over the board. There are 54 counties that have a county manager/administrator form of government, most are over a population of 40,000 citizens. Barrow has just under 70K at present and is predicted to have 120K by 2025.

The general assembly does not need the vote of the citizens or the board of commissioners to change the county charter. All it takes is for the local state delegation to approve it and it will pass the general assembly.

Remember, we had an independent citizens group who are not part of the good ole boy system look at our system and held hearings all over the county and had numerous meetings. They looked our our system, looked at other county systems and recommended a county manager form of government. It wasn't politics...just a bunch of local people asked to serve on a committee to look at what would be in the best interest of Barrow County and made a recommendation.

I voted for the county manager in early voting and voted for slcohol sales...not because I want to have a drink on Sunday, but because if YOU want to have a drink on Sunday, it should be your right.

Just thought you would like to know the facts about other counties in Georgia. You can find this information by googleing it...I did.

Right you are about the chairmans veto power. But where everyone stops talking is the step after that because this really isnt about whats best for the county its about Yearwood. The comissioners have the power to overturn the veto at the next meeting after reviewing the veto. interesting the most powerful office in the world - President of the United States- is in the same situation and has the same veto power. All of this is really simple, vote yearwood out, I agree. But send all the inept commissioners packing as well. Then get some that have the experince and knowledge to help a capable chairman run this county. The framework is fine, the people in position are not. the county manager will be no better because he' ll answer to the same bunch of stool pigeons we have now. I pity the person who works in that environment.

Had the opportunity to vote early on Friday afternoon. The process was very smooth and orderly. All of the poll workers were friendly and had smiles on their faces, and were eager to help each voter.
Getting both ballots in one location really saves time and gas. All in all, a very pleasant experience. Board of Elections did a great job!
Well done......................
DuWayne

I wish more democrats would run, I am tired of only having republicans to vote for on the local and state elections. We need more democrats so all will be represenated, not just the 1% by the republicans. I can't believe you people would vote against you own self interest and vote for a party that cares or represents nothing about the working folks. That could explain the low voter turn out, and the way republicans are trying to tamper with the elelctions. Making it more difficult to vote. They must be worried about the 99% with all this voter supression activity.

Yes, whatever we decide to do, let's make sure we don't tax the job creators! What a minute wasn't it the job creators that sent all our manufacturing jobs oversees and put millions of Americans out of work just for some short term gains?

Or maybe they are the wealthy folks that don't produce anything, but have passed laws that make moving paper through the banks the highest paying jobs in America with the lowest tax rate in history attached to that specific type of work.

Anyone who truly wants a president that hears God talking to them and believes in talking snakes and demon possession is as insane as their perfect candidate.

Well, it seems we have beat this horse to death with 74+ comments. If you want to change the system, you have to vote for what you want! Get up, get out, and vote so you know you did everything you could to let your voice be heard!
( I took advantage of early voting on Friday, and I am glad I did).
DuWayne

Add Comment

Name

Email

Homepage

In reply to

Comment

E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.

To leave a comment you must approve it via e-mail, which will be sent to your address after submission.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above: